Oz Day Citizenship Ceremony

Gap Ceremony Welcomes New Australian Citizens

Pamela Van Straaten, from South Africa and fiance Tim Jones are planning an Australia Day wedding in 2013

For the second year the Rotary Club of Ashgrove/The Gap’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony was held at The Gap State High School Hall - just in case the rain kept falling as it had for the previous week. Luckily though the sun shone and made for a perfect Australia Day weather wise.
Each of the 35 new Australian citizens - hailing from the Canada, China, Czech Republic, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa and the United Kingdom - took the Oath or Affirmation individually or as a family, then received their Citizenship Certificate from presiding officer Cr. Geraldine Knapp.
Following the flag raising ceremony, which was presented by Harrison Fugate, Captain of The Gap State High School, carrying the Australian flag, Kaela Armitage Captain of The Gap State High School carrying the Queensland flag, Grace Walker President of The Gap State High School Interact Club carrying the City of Brisbane flag, current inbound Rotary Exchange student Keiko Wada carrying the Rotary International flag and outbound Rotary Exchange student Jess McCready also carrying an Australian flag.
Alfred Simpson of Kelvin Grove and Pamela Van Stratten of Bardon, responded on behalf of all recipients. Alfred said it was not a tough decision to become an Australian citizen, while Pamela said the Australia Day ceremony was beautiful and will always be a special day, especially as she and fi ance Tim Jones will be marrying on Australia Day 2013.
The Royal Bush Bounty Band stuck up the right chord and delighted young and old with renditions of Australian classics. After the official ceremony, new citizens, their families and friends, invited guests and Rotarians and their partners enjoyed a morning tea.
Rotary Club of Ashgrove/The Gap President Theresa Spencer congratulated Rotarians Glenda Pearce, Stewart Wallace, John Lane and Mitch Koroloff for organising another superb Citizenship Ceremony - the 18th the Club has hosted.
Cr Geraldine Knapp and State Member for Ashgrove Kate Jones addressed those gathered for the emotional ceremony, both making mention of how privileged Australians are to be born here and welcoming the new citizens who enrich our society making Australia a truly multicultural society.